Published: 2020-12-011

The Carthaginian Siege of Casilinum (216/215 BC) – historical reality vs. the arcana of ancient literary accounts

Miron Wolny
Echa Przeszłości
Section: ARTICLES
https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.6135

Abstract

This article discusses the siege of Casilinum by the Carthaginians (216-215 BC) based on the historical accounts of Livy, as well as Frontinus and Strabo. The assault on Casilinum was presented in an embellished form exploiting patriotic motifs. This was achieved by a skillful blotting out of facts and highlighting exaggerated actions. The author queries why the siege lasted so long and was depicted as a series of failures on the part of the Carthaginians, and whether it bears testimony to Hannibal’s incompetence as the commander in chief. The author argues that this was not the case: the Carthaginian commander was not a remarkable innovator as regards siege tactics, but he was sufficiently skilled in the art of poliorkia. By deconstructing some of the Roman topoi and revealing relevant information, the author concludes that the siege of Casilinum was aligned with the strategic objectives of the Carthaginian army in Italy. During the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), the Carthaginian army operating in Italy under Hannibal's leadership used diversified military tactics. After the Battle of Cannae (216 BC), when the war turned into positional warfare, Hannibal's key ambition was to weaken the strategic potential of the Romans and to lure the opponent into battle. The Casilinum operation fitted in well with these military objectives, however, it was the city’s slow agony through attrition warfare that served an important propaganda function.

Keywords:

the Second Punic War, Hannibal, Casilinum, Livy, city sieges

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Wolny, M. (2020). The Carthaginian Siege of Casilinum (216/215 BC) – historical reality vs. the arcana of ancient literary accounts. Echa Przeszłości, (XXI/1). https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.6135

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